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As a lifelong gardener with an interest in science and biology, Lauren Doninger considered raising honey bees for decades. In 2016, she decided to go for it.
Today, Lauren single-handedly manages 6-8 hives behind her yellow house in Hamden. She maintains the hive boxes, sets swarm traps, harvests and extracts honey, and makes gentle soaps and BOB sticks with the leftover beeswax.
Beekeeping is a difficult and rewarding hobby, and Lauren is grateful for the resources, support, and community of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association.
When she’s not beekeeping, Lauren teaches Psychology at Gateway Community College, raises puppies on behalf of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and enjoys time with her family and friends on Cape Cod.
The color of honey depends on the source of nectar that the bees are foraging. Check out the difference between our spring (left) and fall (right) honey.
A strong queen bee regulates the unity of the entire colony. She determines the hive’s gentleness, resistance to mites, and honey production.
Raw honey never goes bad. While it will naturally crystallize over time, you can return it to liquid form with a warm water bath. Never boil or microwave honey. YHH honey might be crystallized when you buy it - we do not melt the crystals as we do not want to put any heat on the honey. If you get a bottle that is crystallized, you know it's real, raw honey! If you're using it to cook (or in tea) the crystals will naturally melt. If you do not want the crystals - gently warm it up.
Our raw, local honey is coarsely-strained and never heated (so you might see crystals) for delicious, pure, and pollen-rich results.
A slice of pure, unfiltered honeycomb, built directly in the container by the bees. Includes 8 oz or more of liquid honey.
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Lauren’s favorite! 100% natural, never heated, honey, whipped into a smooth and creamy texture. Great on toast or with a cheese plate. 14 oz jar.
Gentle artisan soap, made from saponified oils (castor oil, coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, lard, beeswax), fragrance and/or mica.
goat milk and vegan soaps are also available.
